Fuel Filter Deflector With Closed Contour For Fluid Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel filter systems for motor vehicles, particularly diesel, face issues with incomplete recovery of purge water due to deviated water flow from the deflector, leading to pollution and inefficiencies in fluid recovery.
Innovation Solution
A filtration assembly with a deflector and closed contour design, formed by a one-piece plastic molding, featuring a curved rib and longitudinal rib to create a wider receptacle that can securely receive and redirect fluid deviations, ensuring complete recovery under the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple deflector plate with a hole is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the water flow deviates and cannot be properly recovered
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector plate is segmented into functional zones: a receptacle portion with vertical walls to capture deviated flow, a base portion with the drainage hole, and a rising edge for lateral coverage. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through one-piece molding.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a simple 2D plate to a 3D structured component with vertical walls forming a receptacle. This dimensional change creates a volumetric space that can contain and redirect deviated fluid flow, improving recovery reliability while remaining manufacturable via injection molding.
2Device complexity
If the deflector has a horizontal surface with vertically aligned hole, then the structure is simple, but the water jet hits the sheet around the hole causing flow on top of the deflector
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle portion features curved vertical walls that surround the drainage hole, creating a containment geometry that intercepts deviated water flow. This curved structure guides the fluid downward into the receptacle and through the hole, preventing it from escaping over the top of the deflector.
Solution Approach 2:
The design accepts that some flow deviation will occur, but converts this potentially harmful effect into a beneficial one by using the deviated flow path to fill the receptacle portion, which then channels all fluid (including deviated flow) through the drainage hole for complete recovery.
3Reliability
If a one-piece molding with closed contour is used, then fluid recovery is complete, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector plate integrates multiple functions into a single molded component: the receptacle portion for capturing deviated flow, the base portion with drainage hole, the rising edge for lateral coverage, and the curved ribs for structural reinforcement. This merging eliminates the need for separate parts while maintaining complete fluid recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-piece molded deflector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it deflects water flow, contains deviated flow in the receptacle, provides structural support through integrated ribs, and directs all fluid through the drainage hole. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single manufacturable component.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
Assembly for filtering fuel for an autonomous vehicle, comprising a fuel filter equipped with a purge system opening a downward-directed outlet orifice, and a protective deflector comprising a horizontal flat shape disposed below the filter, having a vertically aligned hole (32) below the outlet orifice, the upper face of the deflector having walls forming a closed contour (54) around the hole.